Millar, John Whitla
Personal Information
Rank | F/O |
Forename(s) | John Whitla |
Surname | Millar |
Gender | M |
Age | 28 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 08-02-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of William Anderson and Catherine Gracey Millar (née Whitla), of 112th Street, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster I |
Serial Number | ED309 |
Markings | KM-S |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
Grave Reference | Addenda panel 291 |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 74 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/9415 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 5 |
Squadron | 44 (Rhodesia) |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | St. Chad's Church, Dunholme, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Marble Tablet |
Memorial Text | In memory of 44 (Rhodesia) Sqn. who served at R.A.F. Dunholme Lodge May 1943 - Sept. 1944 |
Location | All Saints Church, Great Steeping, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Marble Tablet |
Memorial Text | In memory of those who served R.A.F. Spilsby in 44 (Rhodesia) Sqd. Sept 1944 - July 1945 |
Location | Memorial Gardens, RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Marble Pillar |
Memorial Text | In memory of those who served with 44 (Rhodesia) Sqn. "We will remember them" |
Miscellaneous Information
Born 4 January 1915, Edmonton. His father had been born in Glasgow and his mother was Irish- born in Belfast. John had been a student at the University of Alberta from 1937-41 and earned a degree in Theology. He also captained the University Rugby team. |
A body which washed ashore the following day was said to be that of F/O Millar although this is highly unlikely since it washed up at Lemvig, which is 450km from the crash site. A Danish reseacher has stated that the body was badly decomposed and was dressed in atire that would suggest he was a sailor. His pullover bore the markings J.M. Miller (note different spelling). It is for this reason that F/O Millar is now commemorated on an addenda panel at Runnymede memorial. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/450/4 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/450/3 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 07-02-1943 |
End Date | 08-02-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Waddington |
Day/Night Raid | Night (12% moon) |
Operation | Lorient |
Reason for Loss | Aircraft took off from Waddington in the early evening detailed to attack targets at Lorient. Shot down by flak from 1. & 2./Schw.Flak Abt.671, 1./Schw.Flak Abt.677 and of 1V Marine Flak Brigade. Crashed into the sea off Lorient at 20.24hrs. |